Mechanism for locking windows in partially open positions



July 24, 1956 w. R. XANDER MECHANISM FOR LOCKING WINDOWS, IN PARTIALLYOPEN POSITIONS Filed May 4, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.MImer/iXander HTTOB Y W. R. X-AN DER July 24, 1956 MECHANISM FOR LOCKINGWINDOWS, IN PARTIALLY OPEN POSITIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4. 1953I N V EN TOR. h ZZmer/E/Yander ky/KM ATTOIQA/EY ME'CHANlSM FOR LOCKINGWINDOWS IN PARTIALLY OPEN PGSITIONS Wilmer Raymond Xander, Denver, Colo.

Application May 4, 1953, Serial No. 352,859

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-52) This invention relates to window latching means,and especially to positive lock mechanism for rendering a sash typewindow safe and burglar-proof.

More particularly, the present invention is concerned with mechanism, solocated that .it cannot be reached from outdoors, for locking a slidingwindow in partially open position. In any season, it is usuallydesirable at night to raise a window for ventilation. In the summerseason it is desirable to leave one or more windows partially open whilethe occupants are away from the house during the day. My inventionpermits a window to be locked in open position in such fashion that aburglar cannot gain entrance without breaking the glass. Also, itprevents small children from escaping through or falling from the windowstructure.

It is the primary object of the present invention to devise a windowlocking mechanism of the above character that is simple but sturdy andeffective in design, and that is relatively inexpensive to construct andinstall.

Another major object resides in the provision of such a lockingmechanism, embodying easily operable means for putting the mechanismcompletely out of locking condition.

It is a further important object to provide, in a double hung sashstructure, an interlocking mechanism that positively limits each sash toa preselected maximum opening. Also, in this connection, to so designthe mechanism that if the closed sash is pulled open it will close andlock the open sash and then lock itself in a corresponding partiallyopen position; thus affording an indication that burglarization has beenattempted. Still further, a pair of complemental sashes can be mountedin a casing with a rack bar secured to one of them so that it normallyabuts a stationary section of the casing to prevent forcing of a sash.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention should become clearfrom a study of the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure l is a front elevational view of any conventional dual-sashwindow with my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 represents a section taken on the plane of line 22, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section along the vertical line 3-3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlargement, with additional sectioning, of the unlockingdevice seen near the bottom of Figure 3;

Figure 5 represents an enlarged fragmentary section of the push-buttonmechanism (locked) taken along line 5-5, Figure 1; and

Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 5, except that the mechanism is unlocked.

To avoid confusion, it should be stated that when the push-button deviceis locked the window holding ratchet mechanism is unlocked; and viceversa.

With continued reference to the drawings, wherein only atent .a singlepreferred form of invention is shown for .convenience of understanding,the'numeral 8 designates in general a complete window casing, of anyconstruction but designed to receive a pair of sash frames 9, 10, inconventional manner. Each frame can slide up and down, when permitted.The entire assembly might be redesigned, of course, to operatehorizontally instead of vertically.

Securely fastened to a side element, as by screws 12 (and preferably toboth sides) of the upper sash frame there is a rack bar 13. This barpreferably extends from top to bottom for a purpose presently seen. Thebar may be fitted into the sash to be flush therewith, as shown; and itcarries a series of integral rack teeth 14, the whole facing inwardly tothe room of the house. The number of teeth may vary, of course, but itis desirable that they (occupy nornore than 440 inches in total length,to limit .the extent of window opening when the window is locked in aselected position. Otherwise, the upper sash is conventional.

The lower sash also is of standard design except for its upper crossmember, 15. The latter has an elongated cavity 16 cut into or shapedtherein, from the top downwardly, to receive a mechanism now to bedescribed. After application of the latter, the cavity is closed by athin plate 17 A pair of light levers 18, in the form of flat rods, arepivotally secured to the sash member 15 by pins 19; and have their innerends overlap at the center of member 15 so that they can be actuatedsimultaneously. The outer end of each lever is slotted at 20 to receivean offset end 22 of a link 23 that extends perpendicularly through theouter wall of sash member 15 into threaded connection with a short,vertical, toothed element 24. The latter, for lack of a betterdefinition, may be called a pawl. Its teeth are complemental to those ofthe rack bar 13, and it is actuated into and out of engagement with thebar 13 by oscillation of the levers 18, centrally controlled as follows:

At its center, the sash member 15 carries a push-button 25, capable ofsliding within a cylindrical sleeve 26. The latter is held against axialmovement by a special washer 27, but can be oscillated by a pair ofintegral wings 28, for the purpose of so setting the mechanism that thewindow sashes can be raised and lowered to full extent. In otherselected settings within the length of the ratchet, the sashes arepositively locked to a predetermined degree of opening.

The button 25 is urged towards the operator by a coil spring 30, whichseats between the button and a recess 32 in the outer section of sashmember 15. The button, which really is a plunger, carries a rigidlyinset and laterally offset stem 33, which rides in a longitudinal slotin the sleeve 26. By pressing the button inwardly, the sash may be movedto any desired position of window opening-for example, 6-8 inches toprevent burglars entrance, or accidental fall of infant. When the buttonis released to permit spring action each sash is positively locked tothe other sash; and one, through abutment of bar 13 with the top of thewindow casing, affords an impregnable barrier to a forced opening.Should the intruder try to open the closed sash, he can do so only tothe length of the opening of the other sash, which then will becomeclosed. No one can get in.

Next, as a convenience to the family or occupant, the entire lockingmechanism can be unlocked. By pushing the button 25 to full extent so asto place the stem 33 slightly outwardly of the slot 34, the sleeve 26can be oscillated through manipulation of the elements 28 to cause thestem to ride onto the end surface of the cylinder and thus hold thelocking mechanism disengaged,

thus permitting the windows to be used as without any attachedmechanism.

But, when the shift is made to locking action, the window is fool-proof.By permitting the device to go into positive action (Figs. 3-5) thewindow sashes are impregnable, except by shattering of the glass.

It is believed that the foregoing running description of the inventionis adequate without a summary of operation. Also, it is submitted thatthe appended claims, properly considered with reasonably liberalinterpretation, define the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a window construction comprising a pair of ve rtically slidablesashes that when closed within a casing form a complete windowstructure, and that in such position have their conterminous crossmembers substantially in surface contact: a mechanism comprising atoothed vertical rack bar secured to the upper sash; a toothed pawlsecured to the lower sash at the level of its top cross member, andhaving teeth complemental to those of the rack bar; said teeth being sodesigned that the lower sash can always be slid downwardly but thatdisengagement must be effected to permit its upward movement; and meansmounted on said top cross member at its inner side to effect saiddisengagement, said upper sash having a vertical groove, and said rackbar being mounted within said groove, flush with the inside surface ofsaid sash.

2. In combination, a pair of window sashes slidable relative to eachother with parts of each substantially in contact with parts of theother, one of said sashes having a side member provided with alongitudinal groove, a rack bar fitted into said groove and secured tosaid member with the plane of the forward edges of its teethsubstantially flush with the plane of a contiguous inner side surface ofthe other sash, said other sash having a cross member provided with arecess that is opposite said bar when the window is closed, and a pawldevice mounted in said recess and complemental to said rack bar.

3. In the combination defined in claim 2, said cross member having acavity behind said pawl, mechanism in said cavity for retracting thepawl, and means for closing said recess and said cavity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS418,323 Shatsick Dec. 31, 1889 768,177 Hettinger Aug. 23, 1904 946,305Abbott Ian. 11, 1910 1,169,113 Barringer Jan. 25, 1916 FOREIGN PATENTS25,989 Great Britain Nov. 26, 1902

